Introduction

The goal of this book is to help non-expert users make the most effective possible use of NMR Spectroscopy for structure elucidation of natural products and other organic compounds. NMR theory is kept to the minimum considered necessary to have a basic understanding of NMR. Instead, the focus is on practical aspects of using NMR for structure elucidation. The book includes detailed, specific, recommendations for optimum parameters for acquiring and processing 1D ¹H and ¹³C spectra and the most widely used 2D spectra. The emphasis is on how to obtain high quality data in the least possible time. One chapter illustrates, with a worked example, a general procedure for determining molecular structures from NMR data. This chapter also covers more sophisticated methods to be used in cases of structural ambiguity. Finally, the book includes a chapter which we believe is unique to this book, which describes procedures to minimize the risks of determining an incorrect structure. It describes two examples where incorrect structures were reported, analyzes reasons for the errors and describes how the correct structures were later determined. This chapter also includes general recommendations designed to minimize the risk of error as well as outlining a number of possible pitfalls and how they can be avoided.